Buildup called helpful in 2 Afghan provinces

Buildup called helpful in 2 Afghan provinces
By Denis D. Gray - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 27, 2009 8:47:31 EST

PUL-I-ALAM, Afghanistan — On what is more akin to a sunny winter's stroll, U.S. troops proudly tread on a newly asphalted road, past a refurbished mosque and a crowded market overflowing with produce. Children dance around the soldiers' boots and bearded men stop them for a casual chat.

This is Logar province: scene of a major U.S. military buildup, fuel for the argument by senior commanders that more troops and aid infusions could reverse Taliban gains in other areas of Afghanistan and ultimately lead to victory.

But the endgame has yet to be played out in Logar, a critical region south of Kabul.

Less than 10 miles from this provincial capital and a few days later, another patrol is greeted only by the cackle of crows and what soldiers call "the stinky eye" from some villagers when they enter Uzbakkhel in combat formation. Two roadside bombs welcomed them on a former visit, a district official had been assassinated the previous night and three days earlier the Taliban nearby killed a 24-year-old man whose uncle worked for the government in Kabul.

"They came in the afternoon, about 4 o'clock, and they cut his head off," said Abdul Nabi, a farmer in Uzbakkhel. "Where was the security? Who was there to help him?"


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_afghanistan_112709/